Sound Tracks: An Archaeological Journey Through Our Musical Past
Do My Heart Good: My Odyssey Through Country Music, Medicine, and History
The Jacksons: Legacy: From the Family Archives / The 50th Anniversary Book
Punk in 50 Pieces: Punk Rock, Post-Punk, New Wave, and the Five Years That Changed Pop Music Forever
Our Common Life: Folksong from the Front Porch to the Concert Hall
BBC Proms 2026
The BBC Proms is the world's biggest and longest-running classical musical festival and one of the jewels in the crown of the BBC. Held every summer at the Royal Albert Hall in London and across the UK, it is one of the strongest brand names in the music world and attracts a glittering array of artists and orchestras from the UK and around the world. Whether you're a first-time visitor or an experienced Prommer, watching at home or listening on radio or online, the BBC Proms Guide is an excellent companion to the festival, which you can treasure and return to in years to come. Filled with concert listings and articles by leading writers, the BBC Proms Guide offers an insight into the performers and repertoire, as well as thought-provoking opinion pieces about music, musicians and music-making.
Echoes from the Pit
Before the convenience of the internet, accessing music wasn't for the faint of heart: fans waited for their favourite songs to come on the radio so they could record them on cassette tapes, made sure they were home to watch genre-specific video programs, and spent endless hours-and part-time job money-at record and music merchandise stores; musicians worked relentlessly, creating demos in garages and playing gigs tirelessly, with the hopes of being famous. While it took a lot of time and dedication, it was also fun and rewarding, and no one loved it more than metalheads.In Echoes from the Pit, Sean Murphy takes readers on a headbanging journey to the vibrant eighties and early nineties heavy metal scene in the Ottawa-Hull region, where he was both a consumer and a creator, sharing his rare insider perspective into the rise of the raucous guitar riffing era there in his youth. This metal memoir is chock-full of stories, including firsthand accounts, of close to forty bands, some local-Exciter, Antix, Galleon, Witchkiller-and some more famous-Megadeth, Anthrax-who played there, the history of venues like Roxanne's, Barrymore's, and The Chaud that featured thrash on their stages, the fervent fans, and a variety of others who helped shape the metal underground in Canada's capital.Echoes from the Pit captures a time when heavy metal was more than just music; it was a community, a culture, and a way of life. It is a celebration of the legacy of an epoch that continues to influence and bring joy to many.
Echoes from the Pit
Before the convenience of the internet, accessing music wasn't for the faint of heart: fans waited for their favourite songs to come on the radio so they could record them on cassette tapes, made sure they were home to watch genre-specific video programs, and spent endless hours-and part-time job money-at record and music merchandise stores; musicians worked relentlessly, creating demos in garages and playing gigs tirelessly, with the hopes of being famous. While it took a lot of time and dedication, it was also fun and rewarding, and no one loved it more than metalheads.In Echoes from the Pit, Sean Murphy takes readers on a headbanging journey to the vibrant eighties and early nineties heavy metal scene in the Ottawa-Hull region, where he was both a consumer and a creator, sharing his rare insider perspective into the rise of the raucous guitar riffing era there in his youth. This metal memoir is chock-full of stories, including firsthand accounts, of close to forty bands, some local-Exciter, Antix, Galleon, Witchkiller-and some more famous-Megadeth, Anthrax-who played there, the history of venues like Roxanne's, Barrymore's, and The Chaud that featured thrash on their stages, the fervent fans, and a variety of others who helped shape the metal underground in Canada's capital.Echoes from the Pit captures a time when heavy metal was more than just music; it was a community, a culture, and a way of life. It is a celebration of the legacy of an epoch that continues to influence and bring joy to many.
Bird Cage
COLLECTING: -THE BOOK OF SONGS-THE BOOK OF PROMPTS-GLOSSARY OF TERMSTHIS BOOK PURPORTS A METAPHYSICAL ALTERNATIVE TO EVERYTHING WE BELIEVE ORACCEPT AS TRUE. IT SUGGESTS THAT PEOPLE ARE JUST MAJOR OR MINOR NEURONS IN MY BRAINOTHERWISE KNOWN AS THIS CITY (toronto) AND THE OUTWARD WORLD IS MERELY A REFLECTIONOF MY INWARD THOUGHTS AND FEELINGS. THAT I AM CREATING THE WORLD AT RUNTIMEAND NONE OF YOU ARE REAL, YOU ARE EXPRESSIONS OF MY INNER WORLD. THE WORLD IS AN ILLUSION.AND WE ARE ALL THE SAME ANIMAL.IT CREATES A NEW LEXICON OF TERMS, ALL RELATED TO THIS UNIVERSE OF THE GLASS JAR, AND THE METAL ROD AND OTHER THINGS, BASICALLY, IF YOU PICK UP THIS BOOK AND APPLY IT, YOU HAVE TO ADMIT YOU NEVER EXISTED AND YOU'RE JUST A VIDEOGAME CHARACTER IN MY DREAM.NOBODY'S ALIVE IN THIS TOWN BUT ME.A GOOD JOKE DOESN'T NEED A PUNCHLINE IT NEEDS, STRUCTURE!!!
Celebrating George
This stunning collection of photographs features iconic George Michael images throughout his career--including many never before published. The man born as Georgios Kyriacos Panayiotou hated being photographed, and that makes this volume such an unusual and beautiful tribute to one of the music world's most beloved stars. First meeting when he shot Wham!, Brian Aris gained George's trust and subsequently enjoyed unprecedented access to document the complex and sensitive character behind one of pop's most talented and consummate artists. Dreaming of stardom from an early age, George achieved popularity first with Wham! and later reached heights of even greater success after re-creating himself as a serious solo artist with songs and music videos that remain iconic to this day. Tragically, he died on Christmas Day 2016 at just fifty-three. With text documenting George's life and Brian's memories of his sessions and meetings with the star, together with iconic shots, contact sheets, and previously unseen images, this is an amazing, heartfelt tribute to one of the world's most likable and talented performers who is one of the all-time immortal greats of pop music.
The Lofi Revolution
Discover the Rhythms of Serenity: Dive Into the Heart of the Lofi MovementIn the bustling rhythm of modern life, there exists a sound, a movement, quietly revolutionizing the way we unwind, study, and connect. The Lofi Revolution: Unwinding to the Sound of Now offers an immersive journey into the heart of this cultural phenomenon, weaving through the textured beats and chilled vibes that define the lofi genre. This book is an invitation to explore the layers of lofi, from its underground roots to its surge into mainstream consciousness.Embark on a voyage from the Genesis of Lofi, understanding its obscure origins and the defining characteristics that encapsulate its appeal. Delve into the Historical Backdrop of electronic and sample-based music, where pioneers and influential albums carved the path for lofi's emergence. The narrative then transitions to the vibrant Lofi Aesthetic and Culture, illustrating how visual art, internet subcultures, and a unique community identity fortify the music's impact.What makes the lofi movement truly intriguing is its power to stir the mind and soul. The Science of Relaxation chapter unveils the psychology behind why lofi music is an unparalleled tool for relaxation and mental wellness. Through a deep dive into Soundscapes and Syncopation, the book dissects the intricate beats and production techniques that give lofi music its signature sound.The journey does not stop at the music's creation. The DIY Ethos chapter celebrates the bedroom producers and the role of technology in making music production accessible to all. As the narrative unfolds, the exploration extends into how lofi is distributed, monetized, and integrated into the music industry, live performances, and even educational settings.As we look towards the future, The Lofi Revolution not only predicts the evolution of lofi but positions it as a catalyst for new music movements. Featuring interviews with lofi artists, a guide to creating your own lofi tracks, and insights into the genre's fusion with other styles, this book is a comprehensive guide for fans and aspiring musicians alike.Whether you're a long-time enthusiast or new to the sound, prepare to be entranced by the world of lofi. Discover how this revolutionary sound is reshaping our approach to music and relaxation. Let the beats guide you to a world of calm, creativity, and community. The Lofi Revolution is your all-access pass to understanding and experiencing the soothing power of lofi music.
Puentes Sonoros (Sonic Bridges)
How has Mexican music in Los Angeles served as more than just entertainment, acting instead as a vital tool for community survival and social change across generations?In Puentes Sonoros (Sonic Bridges), distinguished scholar George Lipsitz explores how music has functioned as a primary register of the demographic and political shifts affecting Mexican-origin communities since the 1960s. Through a series of compelling case studies, George traces the evolution of three distinct musical movements: the emergence of Chicano rock as a defiance against commercial fragmentation, the rise of Banda as a shield against the labor exploitation of the 1990s, and the contemporary growth of FandangObon. By analyzing these "sonic bridges," George reveals a hidden history of Los Angeles, demonstrating how convivial co-creation and performance call new communities into being and transform expressive culture into a powerful social force.This book is a must-read for scholars of Ethnomusicology and Chicano/a Studies, as well as urban historians interested in the social fabric of Los Angeles. It will also deeply resonate with community organizers and musicians who view art as a form of resistance and solidarity.
The Music Is Black
Epic in scope and personal recollection, The Music Is Black is the story of British imperial and colonial histories, the African diaspora, and contemporary British social history put into song.Black British music has been the soundtrack to periods of profound political, social, cultural, and demographic change. It is the music of identity, indefatigability, resistance, anger, celebration, love, loss; it is the music of possibility and hope.Opening with an exploration of the sound and identity of the African diaspora as shaped by the tumultuous forces of British imperialism and colonialism from the 1400s to 1900, Jacqueline Springer then surveys the black musical landscape in Britain from 1900 to 1970. Two major imports--American rap and Jamaican ragga--are singled out for their vital contributions to the homegrown genres central to the publication: lovers rock, Brit funk, 2 tone, jungle, drum & bass, trip-hop, and UK garage and grime.Each genre is then considered with an academic framing of its social and political landscape and artist interviews that include Carroll Thompson, Neville Staple, Kenny Wellington, Bluey Maunick, Fabio and Grooverider, Skye Edwards and Ross Godfrey of Morcheeba, Megaman, DJ Target, and Slimzee.The Music Is Black bears witness to the resilience, ingenuity, and heart of all those who create.
In My Remaining Years
A collection of morbidly funny, intensely personal essays by cult fave and multi-hyphenate artist Jean Grae In My Remaining Years, by creative juggernaut Jean Grae, debunks the myth that coming-of-age narratives should be reserved for the kids, providing a much-needed rallying cry for those of us still trying to figure it out in our forties. These laugh-out-loud essays cover everything from aging gracefully (with and without botox), what happens when you look for community and almost start a cult, befriending childhood demons (Hi Mumm-ra!), gender fluidity in middle age, the cost of being too fabulous, and the various gymnastics we do to avoid becoming our parents, taking us from her childhood in 1980s New York City to present-day Baltimore. In these pages, Jean captures magic in a bottle, distilling the feeling of hanging out with your smartest, funniest, and most brutally honest best friend.
Mind Over Matter
An epic compendium of legendary designer Storm Thorgerson's seminal work with Pink Floyd across several decades. Featuring Pink Floyd's iconic album covers, posters, singles bags, band photographs, booklet pages and the rough artwork that evolved into some of the most recognisable designs in music history, this paperback edition of Mind Over Matter presents the complete body of material, including 32 pages of artwork created for reissues since 2007.Storm Thorgerson, the world-renowned designer who died in 2013, combines his memoir of working with Pink Floyd with the artwork he created to represent the band at every stage of their career. Revisiting the albums, Thorgerson shares personal insights into the ideas and processes behind this legendary imagery.Designers who collaborated with Thorgerson also contribute, and the book includes work from the Oh By The Way box set, the Atom Heart Mother 40th Anniversary 'Wire Cow' sculpture, the Why Pink Floyd? campaign, and the Dark Side Of The Moon 40th Anniversary images and stickers.
Hip-Hop Theology
Hip-hop has crossed boundaries in recent years--from comic books (Into the Spiderverse) to Broadway (Hamilton). For over fifty years, hip-hop has grown as a cultural icon. There's no escaping it. How does hip-hop fit within Christianity? Can hip-hop beats be sanctified? Can perverse lyrics serve the kingdom? In other words, "What has Jerusalem to do with the Bronx, or Compton, or the South Side of Chicago, or the west side of Houston?" Senior scholars, emerging scholars, and practitioners have joined voices to help answer to these questions. Less driven by swag and beats, this volume analyzes thoughtful artists exploring redemptive, complex, and sometimes problematic themes
Raised on Radio
A massively entertaining oral biography of the golden era of critically derided yet monumentally popular radio rock, when Journey, Boston, REO Speedwagon, Toto, and more ruled the airwaves Paul Rees's Raised on Radio is, remarkably, the first biography of AOR ("Album-Oriented Rock"), critically derided at the time but massively popular during its 1976-1986 heyday when artists such as Journey, Boston, Foreigner, Toto, REO Speedwagon, Heart, Pat Benatar, Bryan Adams, and Styx sold many millions of albums and toured stadiums. Today, those very same songs are streaming in record numbers and many of the artists continue to play to sellout audiences around the world. They may have been dismissed at the time as terminally uncool by elitist rock critics in thrall to punk and new wave, but their music was, and is still, the soundtrack to so many people's lives. For better or worse, AOR's prime movers lived life in the fast lane. Cocaine use was rampant, egos were unchecked, and intra-band fighting became par for the course. What's more, their influence stretches across generations and through the fabric of popular American music. AOR invented the power ballad, and the sound of it has traveled on through hair metal, pop rock, and right up to Taylor Swift. Raised on Radio is a stadium-sized, massively entertaining oral and pop-cultural history in the bestselling tradition of Meet Me in the Bathroom, Nothin' But a Good Time, and Please Kill Me, capturing a time and place that was as big, booming, and unabashed as the music that provided its soundtrack.
The Lost No 1 Hits - Completing the Record of Britain's Chart-Topping Singles, 1958-1988
Spanning three decades, The Lost No 1 Hits adds a new dimension to the history of the UK singles charts. Drawing on meticulous original research, it restores to the record all the chart-topping singles from the fast-moving weekend Top 20s compiled exclusively for the Sunday newspapers by New Musical Express and Melody Maker.For the first time, these overlooked No 1 hits are fully integrated into chart history - revealing newly identified chart-toppers by major artists including Queen, Stevie Wonder and Elton John.The book presents a complete, week-by-week guide to Britain's favourite records, including the No 1 hits from the other main national charts. Packed with chart facts, feats and anomalies, The Lost No 1 Hits completes the story of the singles that made it all the way to the top - and may even give you an alternative answer (or two) to the timeless question: what was your birthday Number One?
David Bowie - A People's History
David Bowie - A People's History features more than 350 eyewitness accounts from fans who saw him live in concert, from colleagues who played music and worked with him and from friends. From his early shows in Bromley - through the 182-date Ziggy Stardust tour and the 12 other major tours across the world - this is a unique perspective on the David Bowie story. It places him in the context of the times he lived through and his place in the lives of those who saw him. The book features a wealth of fascinating stories, memorabilia and photographs that have never been published before - making this book a unique portrait of one of the most influential musicians of this era.
